The Paris Agreement is a global effort to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement was adopted in December 2015 by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and entered into force on November 4, 2016.
The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, through adaptation and mitigation measures, and to support the transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable future. It requires all countries to submit their climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to regularly report on their progress towards meeting their targets.
The NDCs submitted by countries vary in ambition and scope, reflecting different national circumstances, capacities and development priorities. However, they all share a common objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable development. The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in accordance with national circumstances.
The Paris Agreement also established a long-term goal of reaching a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, known as the global peaking and carbon neutrality goal. This goal reflects the need for a transition towards a low-carbon economy and the importance of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global temperature rise and prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
In addition to the national commitments, the Paris Agreement also encourages international cooperation and support, including financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity building, to enhance the implementation of climate action and to support the efforts of developing countries in particular.
The Paris Agreement has been widely hailed as a historic achievement in global climate governance, demonstrating a high level of political commitment and ambition to tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. However, it also faces challenges in terms of implementation, particularly in light of the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in 2020.
Nevertheless, the Paris Agreement remains an important framework for global climate action, providing a basis for international cooperation and coordination, and a roadmap for a sustainable and low-carbon future. Its success depends on the collective efforts of all countries and stakeholders, and on the continued innovation and deployment of clean technologies and practices, as well as on the development of supportive policies and regulations.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement represents a critical step towards a sustainable future, recognizing the urgency of the climate challenge and the need for immediate action. While its implementation presents challenges and uncertainties, it also offers opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and leadership in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time.
